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I got a new hip

It's my own fault, really: in high school and college, playing sports, I treated my hips with very little respect. So they got beat up pretty bad one of them bad enough that the top of the femur looked like a chunk of rotten concrete.

Anyway, two days ago it got replaced. They manage to do it these days without cutting any muscle or ligaments, which means it will heal faster, but it still hurts like crazy because they twist the leg here and there to get at the end and at the hip bone.

So the pain now is a more familiar pain, like from really over-used and abused muscles. That's a much friendlier pain than the sharp jabs and electrical-shock-like things from the hip before it was fixed. It's also better because the pain is in the one place instead of all up and down my leg and even into the other one.

Bammer keeps checking on me and stays really close. He keeps wanting to curl up against me -- right on the hip! but the surgery area is supposed to have ice, not warm dog.

And it's about time for another ice treatment, so off I go at about 0.5 m.p.h.

"Thirty-one* states allow all qualified citizens to carry concealed weapons. In those states, homosexuals should embark on organized efforts to become comfortable with guns, learn to use them safely and carry them. They should set up Pink Pistols task forces, sponsor shooting courses and help homosexuals get licensed to carry. And they should do it in a way that gets as much publicity as possible. "

Re: I got a new hip

Hope it heals nicely and quickly. Mum has had both her knees done and said the healing pain was the best thing because she knew it was limited after years of constant chronic pain. Wishy you a speedy recovery

Re: I got a new hip

Oh wow. Congratulations. Well, I suppose we should congratulate the surgeon - ha! Well, actually we should probably let you be the judge of that....

Did Bammer get to visit you in recovery or anything like that?

Bammer was with me right to the door of the operating room, and was waiting when I got back. He did a very thorough sniff inspection while I was bobbing my way back out of grogginess.

The moment his uniform came off so he could relax, he went to protective mode. There was one nurse he insisted on barking at, so he had to spend the night over at the guest house across the street.

Originally Posted by unloadonme

So you're at home after two days? That must be a sign that everything went well. Hope you get back to normal very quickly.

One question if I may. Did you have a general anaesthetic or an epidural?

They did a spinal plus a light general, just enough to put me under. So I came back pretty fast, but had to wait until the spinal had worn off until I got to go to my own room. Fortunately I'd taken a good novel, though Bammer kept pushing it away so he could lick my face.

"Thirty-one* states allow all qualified citizens to carry concealed weapons. In those states, homosexuals should embark on organized efforts to become comfortable with guns, learn to use them safely and carry them. They should set up Pink Pistols task forces, sponsor shooting courses and help homosexuals get licensed to carry. And they should do it in a way that gets as much publicity as possible. "

Re: I got a new hip

Originally Posted by Dejavudoo

Be careful with it, friend. Do you have friends/family/neighbors who are checking on you for safety until you are strong?

Definitely being careful!

It's kinda weird, 'cause I moved here to help take care of elderly parents, but now the mom is taking care of me. And for things she can't help with, there's a renter/friend who set up his cot about fifteen feet away. I also have a former physical therapist friend who stops by to check on things -- he shakes his head at how different things are even after just five years he's been out of that job, but he has fun pointing out with glee that things he and colleagues as PTs were telling the doctors they should be doing are now standard practice.

Today I work on range of motion stuff in forward/back plane -- that means straightening my leg and then pulling my foot up toward my butt (not that I can pull it even halfway), doing a few minutes of no-resistance stationary bicycle, and (this is humbling) crawling on hands and knees (I can't keep from laughing at the thought that crawling like an infant is a serious accomplishment). I also get to try a minimal leg lift, not going for height but just seeing if I can actually lift that foot off the mattress.

"Thirty-one* states allow all qualified citizens to carry concealed weapons. In those states, homosexuals should embark on organized efforts to become comfortable with guns, learn to use them safely and carry them. They should set up Pink Pistols task forces, sponsor shooting courses and help homosexuals get licensed to carry. And they should do it in a way that gets as much publicity as possible. "

Re: I got a new hip

Originally Posted by gsdx

You said your operation was different from mine. It must have been if you're home after 2 days. Wishing you a speedy recovery.

Part of that was because I practiced everything beforehand. They have a checklist, covering getting off the toilet, getting into and out of a shower, going up and down steps, getting in and out of a car, and of course the use of "assistive device(s)" for all that. I know when to back through a door, how to use one of my crutches to hold a door when I have to go through forward... I even know three different "gaits" with the crutches, and when to use which. Anyway, the O.T. and P.T.s shook their heads and checked me off, with wishes that all patients took it as seriously beforehand. I still had to be wheeled down in a wheelchair to leave the hospital, though (wish I could have brought the two nurses home!).

"Thirty-one* states allow all qualified citizens to carry concealed weapons. In those states, homosexuals should embark on organized efforts to become comfortable with guns, learn to use them safely and carry them. They should set up Pink Pistols task forces, sponsor shooting courses and help homosexuals get licensed to carry. And they should do it in a way that gets as much publicity as possible. "

Re: I got a new hip

There's one thing I did that got lots of grins: at the pre-op visit the week before, the surgeon wrote his initials on the hip to be replaced. They wore off during the week, which gave me an idea, since teams doing the wrong hip isn't all that rare (never happened at this hospital, but there's nothing wrong with being careful). So when I got wheeled in and they checked my hips, the right side had this:

C A U T I O N* please open other side *

When the anaesthesiologist tapped it and pointed it out to a nurse, I waved my hand a little and told him, "This is not the hip you're looking for".

"Thirty-one* states allow all qualified citizens to carry concealed weapons. In those states, homosexuals should embark on organized efforts to become comfortable with guns, learn to use them safely and carry them. They should set up Pink Pistols task forces, sponsor shooting courses and help homosexuals get licensed to carry. And they should do it in a way that gets as much publicity as possible. "

Re: I got a new hip

Originally Posted by gsdx

I just had a thought. Do the operations make us 'hipsters' or 'hippies'?

Or "hippos"?

I just finished my first tour around the block -- thank God it's a short one! Two-hundred meter limp, with crutches, total time 819 seconds. That was using the "support the surgery" gait, which moves both crutches right along with the operated leg; the idea is to walk as close to normal as possible and just use the crutches for support.

I can crawl faster than that . . . . which isn't as silly as it sounds. Crawling uses the lifting muscles in the thigh without having to actually lift the weight of the rest of the leg, so they don't get stiff from lack of use. And crawling is the best way I've found to get onto my bed: crawl forward halfway across the bed, lie flat, hold my legs together, then roll to straighten out. For at least several more days I have to avoid rotary motion with the operated hip, and when I try to do it their way I end up trying to rotate, so I'm doing it my way.

Now I'm falling asleep -- that trip around the block drained my energy! Time for a couple of oxies and a mj tab, and so to nap.

"Thirty-one* states allow all qualified citizens to carry concealed weapons. In those states, homosexuals should embark on organized efforts to become comfortable with guns, learn to use them safely and carry them. They should set up Pink Pistols task forces, sponsor shooting courses and help homosexuals get licensed to carry. And they should do it in a way that gets as much publicity as possible. "

Re: I got a new hip

Originally Posted by dpnice

Ready for some limbo dancing?

I was actually thinking about dancing earlier today. It's been so long since I've been able to I was wondering if my muscles remember how.

"Thirty-one* states allow all qualified citizens to carry concealed weapons. In those states, homosexuals should embark on organized efforts to become comfortable with guns, learn to use them safely and carry them. They should set up Pink Pistols task forces, sponsor shooting courses and help homosexuals get licensed to carry. And they should do it in a way that gets as much publicity as possible. "

Re: I got a new hip

Originally Posted by Kulindahr

For at least several more days I have to avoid rotary motion with the operated hip

Wow. I had a 3-month limit. It ended just 6 days ago.

I wasn't allowed crutches. Straight to the walker. I learned how to walk with a cane, but used the walker until my surgeon told me I could use the cane. I haven't used the walker in over a month now. I don't even need the cane, but I use it for balance. My balance was never good to begin with, and it's even worse now.

Re: I got a new hip

Originally Posted by Kulindahr

There's one thing I did that got lots of grins: at the pre-op visit the week before, the surgeon wrote his initials on the hip to be replaced. They wore off during the week, which gave me an idea, since teams doing the wrong hip isn't all that rare (never happened at this hospital, but there's nothing wrong with being careful). So when I got wheeled in and they checked my hips, the right side had this:

C A U T I O N* please open other side *

When the anaesthesiologist tapped it and pointed it out to a nurse, I waved my hand a little and told him, "This is not the hip you're looking for".

When I had mine done the surgeon, when he came round to welcome me to the hospital and say hello, drew an arrow on the thigh he was operating on for that very reason. Seems to me a very sensible precaution which costs nothing

Re: I got a new hip

Originally Posted by gsdx

Wow. I had a 3-month limit. It ended just 6 days ago.

I wasn't allowed crutches. Straight to the walker. I learned how to walk with a cane, but used the walker until my surgeon told me I could use the cane. I haven't used the walker in over a month now. I don't even need the cane, but I use it for balance. My balance was never good to begin with, and it's even worse now.

I definitely think there are advantages to planned surgery rather than putting things together after a fall. I hope your recovery is making progress too, even if it's slower.

Re: I got a new hip

^ Mine was a different replacement. Mine was the ball. Kuli's, I believe, was the socket. Mine was much more invasive so they could get the top of the femur outside my leg. I'm so-o-o-o-o-o glad I slept through it all. I heard a few horror stories about people waking up during surgery.

Re: I got a new hip

Originally Posted by gsdx

Wow. I had a 3-month limit. It ended just 6 days ago.

I wasn't allowed crutches. Straight to the walker. I learned how to walk with a cane, but used the walker until my surgeon told me I could use the cane. I haven't used the walker in over a month now. I don't even need the cane, but I use it for balance. My balance was never good to begin with, and it's even worse now.

I'm not allowed bending plus rotating for another six weeks, and the amount of rotation I can do is minimal. One I think is related to that: I'm allowed to put the right ankle (not-operated) over the left ankle, but not the other way around. I ended up just barely tipping the left foot outward this morning and nearly screamed.

I got crutches several weeks ago -- the hip was so bad I needed lengthy breaks from walking on it. I'd do bits of yard work and bits of conservation work without them, but the rest of the time I pretty much relied on them. Since I was so clearly confident with them, the therapy guy made me do one trip to the bathroom with the walker, checked it off, and noted I was ready for crutches.

I don't know if the actual surgery had something to do with it or not, but Bammer is definitely respecting the crutches better suddenly. That was one of the doc's concerns, because if Bammer bumped a crutch I'd get rotation and bending catastrophically.

"Thirty-one* states allow all qualified citizens to carry concealed weapons. In those states, homosexuals should embark on organized efforts to become comfortable with guns, learn to use them safely and carry them. They should set up Pink Pistols task forces, sponsor shooting courses and help homosexuals get licensed to carry. And they should do it in a way that gets as much publicity as possible. "

Re: I got a new hip

Originally Posted by LeicsDom

I found this was extremely helpful in restoring mobility. I got on my exercise bike the day after I got out of hospital

I'm having a love-hate relationship with that bike. Just a week before the surgery I was ripping around on a mountain bike, not quite tearing up trails, and not getting winded; today I managed fifteen minutes on the stationary and was gasping for breath and dripping sweat.

"Thirty-one* states allow all qualified citizens to carry concealed weapons. In those states, homosexuals should embark on organized efforts to become comfortable with guns, learn to use them safely and carry them. They should set up Pink Pistols task forces, sponsor shooting courses and help homosexuals get licensed to carry. And they should do it in a way that gets as much publicity as possible. "

Re: I got a new hip

Originally Posted by Kulindahr

I'm not allowed bending plus rotating for another six weeks, and the amount of rotation I can do is minimal. One I think is related to that: I'm allowed to put the right ankle (not-operated) over the left ankle, but not the other way around.

Those were my limitations as well, except that I was told 'no leg crossing'. I still crossed at the ankles, though. Never felt any pain when I did. My biggest beef was having to sleep sitting up in bed or on my back, and I haven't been able to sleep on my back for many, many years. It's only been these past few weeks that I've been able to sleep on my sides for short periods.

Re: I got a new hip

Originally Posted by gsdx

^ Mine was a different replacement. Mine was the ball. Kuli's, I believe, was the socket. Mine was much more invasive so they could get the top of the femur outside my leg. I'm so-o-o-o-o-o glad I slept through it all. I heard a few horror stories about people waking up during surgery.

"Thirty-one* states allow all qualified citizens to carry concealed weapons. In those states, homosexuals should embark on organized efforts to become comfortable with guns, learn to use them safely and carry them. They should set up Pink Pistols task forces, sponsor shooting courses and help homosexuals get licensed to carry. And they should do it in a way that gets as much publicity as possible. "

Re: I got a new hip

Thanks, though "Speedy" is a word that won't apply to my recovery for a while -- everything is slow and careful for weeks.

I know that circling the block on crutches this soon after surgery seems speedy compared to just a few years ago, but, well, I described my speed above.

"Thirty-one* states allow all qualified citizens to carry concealed weapons. In those states, homosexuals should embark on organized efforts to become comfortable with guns, learn to use them safely and carry them. They should set up Pink Pistols task forces, sponsor shooting courses and help homosexuals get licensed to carry. And they should do it in a way that gets as much publicity as possible. "

Re: I got a new hip

Originally Posted by gsdx

Those were my limitations as well, except that I was told 'no leg crossing'. I still crossed at the ankles, though. Never felt any pain when I did. My biggest beef was having to sleep sitting up in bed or on my back, and I haven't been able to sleep on my back for many, many years. It's only been these past few weeks that I've been able to sleep on my sides for short periods.

It's really a life-changing event.

I'm supposed to sleep unoperated leg down, then a pillow, then the operated leg. In eight nights like that before surgery, I managed to actually sleep three of them. But since I pop some oxies and mj tabs at bedtime, it's not so hard. The hard part is waking up and trying to turn when I need to pee, because I can't rotate the hip upward, I have to roll my whole body.

I'm allowed to sleep on my back, but that's the second choice, since involuntary movement at night can tilt the foot and twist the hip. If I sleep on my back, I have to pack the leg with pillows so it won't roll.

"Thirty-one* states allow all qualified citizens to carry concealed weapons. In those states, homosexuals should embark on organized efforts to become comfortable with guns, learn to use them safely and carry them. They should set up Pink Pistols task forces, sponsor shooting courses and help homosexuals get licensed to carry. And they should do it in a way that gets as much publicity as possible. "

Re: I got a new hip

Originally Posted by Kulindahr

I'm having a love-hate relationship with that bike. Just a week before the surgery I was ripping around on a mountain bike, not quite tearing up trails, and not getting winded; today I managed fifteen minutes on the stationary and was gasping for breath and dripping sweat.

Teehee, that's a good thing. Keeps your heart in good condition
As soon as your Dr allows you to rotate and you can swing your leg over the bike to mount it, you will be back out on the trails again. That is perfect exercise for strengthening the hip again
A tip. When mounting your bike do it at the curb or from something higher than normal. It makes it easier to start with

Re: I got a new hip

Originally Posted by LeicsDom

Teehee, that's a good thing. Keeps your heart in good condition
As soon as your Dr allows you to rotate and you can swing your leg over the bike to mount it, you will be back out on the trails again. That is perfect exercise for strengthening the hip again
A tip. When mounting your bike do it at the curb or from something higher than normal. It makes it easier to start with

I've been getting on my bike by laying it down, stepping across, and standing it up for weeks now.

"Thirty-one* states allow all qualified citizens to carry concealed weapons. In those states, homosexuals should embark on organized efforts to become comfortable with guns, learn to use them safely and carry them. They should set up Pink Pistols task forces, sponsor shooting courses and help homosexuals get licensed to carry. And they should do it in a way that gets as much publicity as possible. "

Re: I got a new hip

I slept with a a urine bottle beside the bed for a couple of weeks. It made me feel safer if I woke int the middle of the night and needed to pee

I've been using a juice bottle, but now that I have the one from the hospital things are easier.

I feel rather medieval in the morning -- I open the window and toss the contents into the back yard.

"Thirty-one* states allow all qualified citizens to carry concealed weapons. In those states, homosexuals should embark on organized efforts to become comfortable with guns, learn to use them safely and carry them. They should set up Pink Pistols task forces, sponsor shooting courses and help homosexuals get licensed to carry. And they should do it in a way that gets as much publicity as possible. "

Re: I got a new hip

Woke up from the itching under the bandage . . . . .

"Thirty-one* states allow all qualified citizens to carry concealed weapons. In those states, homosexuals should embark on organized efforts to become comfortable with guns, learn to use them safely and carry them. They should set up Pink Pistols task forces, sponsor shooting courses and help homosexuals get licensed to carry. And they should do it in a way that gets as much publicity as possible. "

Re: I got a new hip

Pleased to see that you are making a good recovery. Joints thrive on movement according to my Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist. My knee replacement works well over quite long walks, so I am sure your new hip will keep you acitve for years to come.

Re: I got a new hip

Originally Posted by Autolycus

Pleased to see that you are making a good recovery. Joints thrive on movement according to my Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist. My knee replacement works well over quite long walks, so I am sure your new hip will keep you acitve for years to come.

I'm part of a study on the endurance of the new materials. The metal in it is titanium, but the cup was described to me as being made of a long-chain polyester/polystyrene mix. The predecessor material lasted twenty years with no issues; they're projecting twenty-five years on this one while hoping for thirty-five!

I get to start doing some lateral movement today -- not looking forward to it, since so far the least bit of that has overwhelmed the pain pills. I wish it were ready for hiking; this is a beautiful Easter morning and a trudge through the dunes would be delightful!

"Thirty-one* states allow all qualified citizens to carry concealed weapons. In those states, homosexuals should embark on organized efforts to become comfortable with guns, learn to use them safely and carry them. They should set up Pink Pistols task forces, sponsor shooting courses and help homosexuals get licensed to carry. And they should do it in a way that gets as much publicity as possible. "

Re: I got a new hip

Originally Posted by ElmosToe

fuck, I think i'm in love....you are awesome.

I have my moments.

"Thirty-one* states allow all qualified citizens to carry concealed weapons. In those states, homosexuals should embark on organized efforts to become comfortable with guns, learn to use them safely and carry them. They should set up Pink Pistols task forces, sponsor shooting courses and help homosexuals get licensed to carry. And they should do it in a way that gets as much publicity as possible. "

Re: I got a new hip

Apparently mowing the lawn was a very good thing!

I had to concentrate on stepping very correctly, and making the leg do its proper work, while the mower kept me balanced. Now my hip is far less stiff, and the distance I can extend that leg has increased. I did stationary biking for ten minutes afterward to prevent it from stiffening, just in case. So what if it took four times as long to mow the grass (and I didn't even get finished)?

So with my hip feeling great, off to bed!

"Thirty-one* states allow all qualified citizens to carry concealed weapons. In those states, homosexuals should embark on organized efforts to become comfortable with guns, learn to use them safely and carry them. They should set up Pink Pistols task forces, sponsor shooting courses and help homosexuals get licensed to carry. And they should do it in a way that gets as much publicity as possible. "